The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2015, and October 31, 2016 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2016 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on November 3, 2016, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

Where, oh where are Duck’s new blue socks?

Duck is quite sad over the loss of his new blue socks. “I know I put them somewhere near. / How could they simply disappear?” He searches his big box to no avail. He asks his friend Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox hasn’t seen them, but he suggests rifling the big box and asking the ox. The ox hasn’t seen them either, but he did see some socks on the rocks by the lake. Unfortunately, “[t]hese are socks, but they’re not new. / They’re more like purple, not like blue.” Duck asks the peacocks if they’ve seen his socks, telling them everywhere he’s looked and everyone he’s asked…and the youngest peacock notices “…a touch of blue / underneath your laced-up shoe!” Bunting and Ruzzier (Tweak Tweak, 2011) reteam with excellent results. Bunting’s lyrical rhyming, repeating text is only a few large words from early-reader territory: “I’m trying not to be depressed. / Without my socks I feel undressed.” Storytime audiences will enjoy Duck’s sock hunt, and lapsitters with sharp eyes can spot the gradual unraveling reveal of the new blue socks’ location in Ruzzier’s broad, cartoon watercolors.

A great addition to the literature on ducks…or socks! (Picture book. 2-6)

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